News

PSU Men's Rugby Club Finishes Season with Win over Reed

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Posted: November 12, 2008

The Portland State Men’s Rugby Club faced off against cross-town
rivals Reed College this weekend in their final
league match of the fall season. Leading the team in scoring was Thomas
Rykowski, with a hat trick of tries (similar to a touchdown in Football) in
Saturday’s match. The game also saw the return of several players who were
sidelined due to injuries.

Scoring for the Vikings opened after the tenth minute when the
inside center, Tim Wyman, broke through a line of defenders to ground the ball
across the try line. The following conversion kicked by Aaron Brown made the
score 7-0 for the Vikings. Rykowski’s first try came shortly after Wyman’s,
starting the Vikings run against Reed. Portland State
refused to let up, scoring try after try against the stunned Reed defense.
Viking flanker Jamin Meletia scored his first try ever (known in Rugby as a Zulu try) thirty minutes into the first half.
Rykowski scored his second try later in the first half, which ended with the
Vikings enjoying nearly a fifty-point lead.

The second half of the contest featured the return of
veterans Micah Parsons and Kaliq Mansor; who both missed several games from
shoulder and hand injuries respectively. Rykowski’s third and final try came
midway through the second half, achieving the rare rugby hat trick. Reed was
able to break their frustration, scoring a single try in the second half.
Meletia scored his second try for Portland
State in the final
moments of the second half, bringing the final score to 85-5 in favor of the
Vikings.

The Vikings’ win against Reed ended a tough fall season on a
high note. Co-captain Kaliq Mansor said, “Saturday’s win was a big morale boost
for the team. We were plagued by injuries this season, so the guys had to work
hard for this win”. The Vikings will spend the winter preparing for their next
league match, hosting Willamette on February 14, 2009.
For more information on the Portland State Men’s Rugby Club see their website
at www.pdxrugby.com or contact psurugby@pdx.edu.